Not What I Planned To Write (2)

Once again, I had planned to tell you all about my latest field trip in the “929 on the map” course I am taking at Yad Yitzhak Ben Zvi. And, once again, the murderous activities of “Palestinian” terrorists have forced a change of plan – because, last Wednesday, even as we were happily walking among the wild flowers in the hills and valleys between Beit Shemesh and the Coastal Plain, on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant, a trio of assassins were carrying out a deadly attack in the Old City of Jerusalem. A few hours later, another beautiful young Jewish woman – scarcely more than a girl – was dead.

The three Spawn of Satan were armed with knives, guns and pipe bombs. Two of them, by their nervous demeanour and apparent unease, attracted the attention of a Border Police patrol outside the Damascus Gate. The police officers, including two young female recruits, asked to see their identity papers. In response, one of the Arabs began stabbing – and seriously wounding – one of the young policewomen, 20-year-old Ravit Mirilashvilli. A second policewoman, 19-year-old Hadar Cohen, who had been in the Border Police for less than two months, shot the attacker –  saving her friend’s life in the process. At that point, a third assassin, who had been sitting some way apart, lurking in the shadows, unnoticed by the patrol, opened fire with an automatic weapon, mortally wounding Hadar, who, despite heroic efforts by medical staff at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Centre, succumbed to her wounds a few hours later. All three terrorists were shot dead by Israeli security personnel during the attack. They were found to have been carrying pipe bombs and, had they not been identified and stopped by Hadar and her fellow Border Police officers, would undoubtedly have been able to kill many more people.

The Hebrew name Hadar (הדר) means “a citrus fruit”. But it has another meaning also – glory or splendour. In the philosophy of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, “Hadar” can be understood as meaning “Honour” – the honour of the Jewish People.

Hadar Cohen (HY”D), who was committed to protecting the lives of her fellow citizens, and who died saving the life of her colleague (and who knows how many more), surely personifies the latter meaning.

May her memory be for a blessing.